Tunis — Tunisia now has its own electron accelerator. The First of its kind and in the country and in North Africa, the accelerator is located at the Nuclear Technologies Centre in Sidi Thabet, near Tunis.

The electron accelerator which required 7.5 million dinars can be used for sterilization of medical devices and the preservation of foodstuff.

It offers several advantages such as protecting the environment, preventing toxic and radioactive waste dumping, achieving uniform sterilization and swift processing.

This technology will contribute to the strengthening of regional and international cooperation in technology transfer and allow exporting companies to have access to international quality and security standards.

On the occasion, a ceremony was held to sign the service contracts for the benefit of economic companies allowing them to take advantage of the accelerator's many applications.

During the ceremony, Mr. Lazhar Bououni Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology stressed the importance of this achievement in boosting Tunisia's economy and exporting capacities.